Step back into a time when being a nerd wasn’t trendy, ironic, or celebrated; it was simply who you were. In 1973, nerd culture existed long before comic-con crowds and billion-dollar tech empires, defined instead by thick glasses, pocket protectors, and a passion for things the rest of the world didn’t quite understand.

These photos offer a window into that world, capturing the earnest charm of early computer hobbyists, science fair diehards, and book-obsessed students who lived for curiosity long before it became cool. The hairstyles may be dated and the fashion undeniably retro, but the enthusiasm is timeless.

What you’ll see it’s the pure, unfiltered origin story of a culture that would eventually take over the world.